JAZZ, gothic rock or reggae – there was something for all music-lovers in Oxfordshire at the weekend.
In East and West Hanney, near Wantage, hundreds of revellers turned out for the second annual Hanneyfest, which ran from Friday through to Sunday.
This year, the event was held in three different locations – the Black Horse pub and Royal British Legion Hall in East Hanney and The Plough in West Hanney.
Acts included Wantage ska dance band Quadrophobe, gothic rock artists Drunkenstein and Smilex, recently voted ‘best live unsigned band in the UK’.
The event was held in aid of forces charity Help for Heroes and Hanney Youth Football Club.
Organiser Phil Garvey said: “There has been a great turnout. We had already sold 480 tickets before the event and 580 by Friday alone.
“Even the weather, which was a bit blustery, didn’t keep people away.”
He added that the performers had also been fantastic, ranging from reggae and ska to gothic and classic rock.
Last year the event raised £2,000, which was split between Cancer Research UK and Hanney Pre-School.
Meanwhile, in Bicester, 20,000 revellers were enjoying more of a swing to their music.
Bicester Jazz festival brought live jazz bands together at spots around the town.
Miranda Markham, 50, from Bicester Village, helped to organise the event in partnership with Bicester Town Council She said: “This weekend has been amazing. There has been a real buzz around Bicester and a fantastic atmosphere.
“It’s been a lovely mellow and relaxed event, made up of both local people and international visitors too.”
Activities for young visitors included face painting, and there was a picnic concert in Garth Park that attracted thousands of people.
The event was held to raise money for the Rotary Club’s campaign to try to eradicate polio worldwide through immunisation.
In Chalgrove, more than 1,000 music-lovers attended a three-day festival.
Organiser Kelle Nixey, 28, said that the rain on Saturday hadn’t dampened their spirits at all.
She said: “It has gone brilliantly well, the bands have been fantastic and we’ve had big crowds of over a thousand people.”
Sunday was a special ‘legend of rock’ day, with tribute acts from around the country performing classic anthems.
Mrs Nixey said: “The Bon Jovi tribute act are back by popular demand.
“And we’ve had lots of soldiers here to enjoy the music from 706 Union Avenue, from RAF Benson. We’ve had a huge amount of support and it has gone fantastically.”
All the proceeds from the festival went to Help for Heroes and the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel